SOU wrestling team bolstered with 11 transfers, five locals

Highlighted by impressive groups of transfers and local high school stars, Southern Oregon head wrestling coach Mike Ritchey announced the signing of 20 new wrestlers Thursday.

The group features 11 transfers and five local wrestlers that will compete for the defending National Dual Meet Champions this coming year.

“I think our success last year helped us when it came to people being a little more interested to join this program,” Ritchey said. “We were able to bring in some quality transfers and also pick up some of the best high school wrestlers from the best high school programs in the state here in Southern Oregon.”

The group of transfers include Jimmy Eggemeyer (133 pounds, University of Wyoming), Kyle Wirkuty (141, Clackamas CC), Jordan Toney (157, Portland State), Kris Spencer (165, Clackamas CC), DJ May (165, North Idaho), Zach Pagnotta (165, Southwestern Oregon CC), Josh Stalcup (174, Oregon State), Derek Rottenberg (184, Shasta JC), Ron Lee (197, Oregon), Nigel Bond (285, Clackamas CC) and Jarod Pitassi (285, Cal Baptist).

Lee and Eggemeyer highlight the group of transfers. Lee wrestled for Crater before starting his collegiate career at Oregon, where he was an NCAA Division I qualifier in 2007. Eggemeyer was a two-time state champion in Alaska before heading off to Wyoming.

Wirkuty, Spencer and Pagnotta all are Junior College All-Americans.

Locals preps to commit to SOU included Steven Evans (125, Roseburg HS), Tyler Lander (133, Roseburg HS), Justin Eldred (141, Grants Pass HS) and Sam Winter (149, Illinois Valley). Winter is a two-time state champion and both Lander and Eldred each claimed a state title.

Other prep signees are Jordan Lowe (125, McNary HS), Joe Hutchison (141, Squim, Wash., HS), Tucker Van Matre (149, Kodiak, Alaska, HS), Adam Swogger (157, South Salem HS) and Etan Hinton (184, Squim, Wash., HS).

“It’s going to be a really tough (practice) room next year,” Ritchey said. “We now have a lot of depth that has a lot of top level experience.”